MAR 105 – Exam 3 Review Sheet- S2012
Dr. Anastasia
COASTAL FEATURES
Key terms:
beach
berm
low tide terrace
longshore current
Seawall
groins
jetties
beach replenishment breakwater
Key concepts:
-know how the position of the coast is dependent on sea-level and coasts with lower
slopes are more affected by sea-level changes
-know the definition of a beach and what the landward and seaward limits of a beach are
-be able to draw or label a typical beach profile and distinguish summer/swell from
winter/storm profiles
-understand that beaches exist in a balance between erosion and deposition of sediment
and how this cycles with the seasons.
-know examples of processes that add sand to the beach (accretion or deposition) and
processes that take it away (erosion)
-know what the longshore current is and that it is caused by waves approaching the shore
at an angle
-know that longshore drift moves a lot of sand along a shore rather than offshore or
onshore
-know how the slope of the beach is affected by the size of the sediment that makes up
the beach
-understand the natural processes that occur on beaches and barrier islands and how our
attempts to protect our property (building groins, seawalls, jetties, breakwaters, beach
replenishment) interfere with this and can lead to the loss of beaches
Sample Essay question:
1. Describe three methods that may be used to save beaches and beach front
properties. For each method, explain how it is supposed to work and the pros and
cons of using that method.
2. Describe three processes that can add sand to a particular beach and three
processes that can take sand away.
Intro to Marine Biology and PLANKTON
Key terms:
Life
evolution
natural selection
Darwin
Photosynthesis
chemosynthesis
respiration
primary producers
Autotrophs
consumers
heterotrophs
primary productivity
Phytoplankton
Diatoms
dinoflagellates
compensation depth
Zooplankton
Holoplankton
meroplankton
plankton
Pelagic
Copepods
krill
radiolarians
Formaniferans
Key concepts:
-know how to define life and that all life on earth ultimately depends on the sun
-understand the process of evolution and how natural selection causes it; be able to
outline the steps necessary for it to occur: amplification/reproduction, variation/mutation,
selection
-know that Darwin was the first to propose the theory of evolution by natural selection
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MAR 105 – Exam 3 Review Sheet- S2012
Dr. Anastasia
-know what producers (or primary producers or autotrophs) are and what two processes
they may use to make their own food (photosynthesis and chemosynthesis)
-know what consumers or heterotrophs are
-be able to define primary productivity.
-know what a food web represents and that most energy is used up and not passed to the
next level
-know what phytoplankton are (single-celled pelagic algae) and know characteristics of
the two types discussed in class: Diatoms and Dinoflagellates
-know that nutrient and light levels determine phytoplankton abundance
-know that phytoplankton is more abundant near coastlines due to increased nutrients
than in the open ocean
-know the global abundance patterns of phytoplankton (abundance in tropics, temperate,
polar regions) and how abundance changes throughout the year.
-know what zooplankton are and some examples (copepods, krill, etc), that they are the
main primary consumers and the difference between holoplankton and meroplankton
Sample Essay questions:
1. Define evolution and explain how natural selection causes evolution and outline
the steps necessary for evolution to occur.
2. Describe how phytoplankton abundance varies across the globe (polar, temperate
& tropical regions) and WHY. In your answer be sure to explain the factors that
control phytoplankton abundance and how they vary among regions. Explain
seasonal changes in abundance and why they occur.
NEKTON
Key terms
Cephalopods
Mammalia
Sirenia
Cartilagenous Fish
Cetaceans
Nekton
Bony Fish
Carnivora
Marine Reptiles
Pinnipeds
Key concepts
-know what nekton is
-for each group of nekton discussed, know examples of animals in the group and the main
characteristics of the group…
Cephalopod Molluscs(squid, cuttlefish, chambered nautilus and octopus): active
predators, tentacles, highly developed nervous system, largest invert = colossal squid
Cartilagenous fish: skates, rays (dorsoventrally flattened, benthic) and sharks
(torpedo shaped, pelagic): must swim to maintain depth, fins and oil in liver help to
provide lift, skeletons of cartilage, some must swim to breathe
Bony fish: most successful vertebrates, skeletons of bone, swim bladders,
operculum, gills
Marine Reptiles (Sea turtles, sea snakes, marine iguanas, saltwater
crocodiles):ectothermic, salt secreting glands, breathe air with
lungs
Mammalia: mammary glands, hair on most, endothermic, lungs.
Marine mammals: streamlined, osmotic adaptations, respiratory
adaptations
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MAR 105 – Exam 3 Review Sheet- S2012
Dr. Anastasia
Cetaceans (dolphins and whales): toothed whales
(hunters)and baleen whales (filter feeders, larger)
Carnivora (seals, sea lions, walruses, sea otters, polar
bears),
Sirenia (manatees & dugongs): herbivorous
Sample Essay questions:
1. A) What characteristics are found in all mammals?
B) Name the three groups of marine mammals, give examples of common names
of animals in each group, and describe some basic characteristics of each group.
2. Name the two groups of fish that were discussed in class and describe three
differences among the two groups of fish.
BENTHIC COMMUNITIES
Key terms
Hermatypic corals
zooxanthellae
Key concepts:
-know that coral reefs are made of coral animals and the calcium carbonate skeleton that
they excrete
-know corals that secrete a calcium carbonate skeleton and build reefs are known as
hermatypic corals
-know that corals have a symbiotic algae living inside them called zooxanthellae and
what the algae and coral get from the relationship
-know that hermatypic corals live in shallow water and have a narrow range of
temperatures in which they can live
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